BULLS BATTLE TO DEFEAT KNIGHTS

Bradford Bulls produced a battling display to defeat the York City Knights 20-16, with Myles Lawford crossing for his first try in senior Bradford colours!

With no senior half-backs available, Head Coach Mark Dunning was forced to create a partnership of Academy talent Myles Lawford & forward Sam Hallas in the halves.

Bradford started on the front foot, and with intent on a luscious, large pitch as they made the most of the extra green space, throwing the ball about with freedom as we went close on numerous occasions before the deadlock was broken.

On the last tackle, Aaron Murphy deputised as a kicker and slid in a delicate grubber to which AJ Wallace pounced and grabbed the opening score in front of the jubilant Bulls fans.

York hit back soon after, as Ata Hingano went close, before his play-the-ball was collected by Will Jubb who forced his way over.

A penalty was then awarded in our favour in front of the York sticks, and Elliot Kear immediately pointed for the kicking tee and added the two points.

Another attack of the York line saw more points heading our way in a frantic opening half, with Kieran Gill attacking the line and finding a crash ball at the last second, as he sent it into the grateful hands of George Flanagan who went over.

Matty Marsh, one of York's standout players then had his say and hauled the Knights back into the contest, sliding over in the rain after taking Ata Hingano's short pass at the line.

We would then go onto extend our lead, and score the last points of the evening as star man and 18-year-old academy talent Myles Lawford hurried from dummy-half to crash between Hingano and score.

That was all for the first half, with the second period starting off in the same vein.

York came close on multiple occasions early on, with penalties gaining them field position, but strong Bradford defence kept them out.

As the time ticked away, York came ever closer and looked ready to score, but a mammoth hit on Jacob Ogden broke the ball free and Bradford survived.

Field position of our own came, and we tested the York line but Thomas Doyle was held up just short, but the turnover ate up valuable minutes.

York then shifted the ball out wide and Matty Marsh looked to add to his tally, but Matty Dawson-Jones was quicky on the scene to produce a monster hit which shot the ball out of his grasp and gave us possession back. 

With seconds remaining, Ant Walker took on the York line and seemingly grounded the ball, however it wasn't given but it would not matter as we secured our first win in front of the Premier Sports cameras!

BRADFORD BULLS - Elliot Kear, Matty Dawson-Jones, Rhys Evans, Kieran Gill, Ryan Millar, Sam Hallas, Myles Lawford, Steve Crossley, George Flanagan, Ebon Scurr, AJ Wallace, Chester Butler, Aaron Murphy.

INTERCHANGES - Thomas Doyle, Jacob Gannon, Brad England, Ant Walker.

TRIES

Wallace, Flanagan, Lawford

GOALS

Kear 3/3 - Penalty Goals 1/2

YORK CITY KNIGHTS - Matty Marsh, AJ Towse, Jacob Ogden, James Glover, Joe Brown, Brendan O'Hagan, Ata Hingano, Pauli Pauli, Will Jubb, Ronan Michael, Danny Kirmond, Chris Clarkson, Jordan Thompson.

INTERCHANGES - Liam Harris, Jack Teanby, Ronan Dixon, Bailey Antrobus.

TRIES

Jubb, Marsh, Brown

GOALS

Glover 2/3